Kung Bakit Umuulan

CPHI Trampoline

by Rene O. Villanueva, Robert A. Alejandro (Illustrator)

Tungkung Langit is the great creator. He made the sun, the stars, the moon, the planets. His wife, Alunsina, wants to be able to create too. But Tungkung Langit only answered, "I would rather see you smile, fix your hair and stay beautiful." Alunsina was not content with this answer and continued to plead with her husband to allow her to create. And each time, Tungkung Langit ignored her pleas. Finally, Alunsina leaves her husband. Tungkung Langit searched everywhere for his wife until one day, he found her on earth surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, and fish. "I am creating the world," she announces. "I too am a god."

So why does it rain? Find out for yourself in this beautifully written and illustrated book.

Cacho Publishing House, Inc. (Out of print)

20 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Rene O. Villanueva (September 1954–December 2007) was a Filipino Dramatist and Children's Story Writer who made his mark in Philippine Literature in the late 1970s and well into the first decade of the 21st century. He had a remarkable contribution to Filipino culture as shown in his prolific output which generates continuing interest in his plays and books for young people.

Villanueva was born in La Loma, Quezon City and studied in public schools, the Lyceum of the Philippines, and the University of the Philippines. As a young person, he already had the inclination to the arts, telling stories to playmates and winning in national school writing contests. In college, he was active in the theater as a writer and as a performer. Later when he got into the writing workshop circuit, he joined the literary group Galian sa Arte at Tula (GAT) to learn from veteran writers.

In a children's literature workshop, he stood out as a fellow, and critic National Artist Virgilio S. Almario recognized his writerly gifts. His drama auspiciously began in 1978 with "Entreswelo" and "Pag-ibig ni Mariang Makiling" which won an award in the playwriting workshop, Palihang Aurelio Tolentino. Then in 1980, he won his first Palanca Award with the one-act play "Kumbersasyon" and from then on his pen did not falter a beat. He came out with memorable dramatic works like "May Isang Sundalo"(1981), "Sigwa" (1984), "Botong" (1990), "Kalantiaw" (1994), "Dobol" (1994) and "Watawat" (1999).

Villanueva's stories for children garnered prestigious prizes, including Palanca Award-winning works like "Bertdey ni Guido" (1989), "Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit" (1990), "Tungkung Langit at Alunsina"(1990), "Nemo, Ang Batang Papel" (1992), and "Tatlong Ungas" (1999).

For his pioneering contribution to local children's literature, Villanueva was nominated by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) to the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Children's Writer, the most prestigious international recognition in the field of writing for children. He is the first Filipino writer to have been nominated to the award.

His indomitable spirit as a writer, teacher and cultural worker found him travelling all over the country to share his views on children's welfare, creative writing, curriculum enrichment, and teaching materials development.

Reviews

[Alon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it because the drawing is from Kuya Robert, because dati he helped us make a cardboard owl and I love owls so much. And when I draw sometimes, it's so colorful, just like Alunsina's creations. I love it. (Alon, 6)

[Mariella Roque]

:)

[Shaneil Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

hahahahhahahah.........

[Werl]

papsdpksogrohfh

[Neas Remor · Rating 5 out of 5]

how to read that story,because i can't read it

[Bianca Casano · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)